Cell case packing machine



NW0 4, 1939- J. J. THAYER CELL CASE PACKING MACHINE Filed Oct. 5, 193'?4 Sheets-Sheet l N U INVENTOR JOSEPHUSITHAYER Y M Emu- 1 H is ATTORNEY5Nov. 14, 1939. J. J. THAYER CELL CASE PACKING MACHINE Filed 001;. 5,1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 14, 1939. J. J. THAYER CELL CASE PACKINGMACHINE Filed Oct. 5, 1937 4 $heets$heet 3 INVENTOR JDSEPHUS J. THAYER II HHJEBE: a

mwrAg m rAww IFEE,

Nov. 14, 1939.

J. J. THAYER CELL CASE PACKING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 5,1957 .llll ll .HIIIII |J INVENTOR JOSEPHUS J.THAYER BY I firm w .1 2M,{MW/5 HIS ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 14, 1939 PATENT OFFICE CELL CASEPACKING MACHINE Josephus J. Thayer, La Grange Park, Ill.

Application October 5,- 1937, Serial No. 167.365

28 Claims.

The present invention relates to case-loading or packing machines, andparticularly to machines for automatically placing in packing cases,such as corrugated board cartons, boxes and the like, charges ofcontainers, and especially round containers such as cans, bottles andthe like.

I In Letters Patent of the United States No. Y 2,050,547 granted in myname on August 11, 1936, there is disclosed an automatic machinefor-loading or packing such containers in cases, wherein f. thecontainers are arranged in the cases in a plurality of parallel rows,the containers adjacent one another being in contact. That is to say,the containers of each row are in contact with one another andcontainers of adjacent rows are in contact with one another. It issometimes desired to place a protective medium between the individualcontainers so that they will better withstand shipment. Cases in whichthe containers are thus packed are called cell cases and are providedwith partitioning devices which divide the interior of the case into aplurality of cells or compartments each adapted to receive a singlecontainer.

The object of my present invention is to provide an improved apparatusof the sort disclosed in the above-mentioned patent which is adapted toload or pack cell cases as well as plain cases.

The partitioning devices commonly employed for the purpose of formingthe cells or compartments comprise two sets of parallel strips ofcorrugated board, the strips of each set being arranged in parallelspaced relation and held in such relation by means of interengagingnotches or slits extending approximately half the width of the strips.These cell-forming devices, as well as the cartons themselves, areusually received in the fiat. Both have to be opened up, and acell-forming device placed within each carton by the operator of thepacking machine. As this has to be done quickly and since the corrugatedboard strips of which the cell-forming devices are made are flexibleand, to a certain degree, resilient, it frequently happens that thewalls of the partitions of some of the bottle compartments are not inproper place to receive the bottles. Hence, when the containers areinserted they are apt to jamagainst the edges of the partitioningdevices and be prevented from entering their respective cells.

Accordingly, a particular object of my present invention is to providefor automatically positioning the yielding walls of the cells or compartments so that there will be no jamming of the containers as the chargeis placed in the case,

thus permitting the individual containers to enter their respectivecompartments.

The invention will be understood from a consideration of theaccompanying drawings which illustrate by way of example one of theembodiments of the invention which is intended to pack round cans. Inthese drawings:

Fig. -1 isa longitudinal sectional view of the machine takencn line l-lof Fig. 2 transversely of the-:conveyors for conveying the cans to thecharge'lp'ick-up mechanism, the latter mechanism being shown insideelevation and in raised position; v

Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section taken on line 22 of Fig; 1,showing one of the charge pickup mechanisms in lowered position;

Fig. 3 is a similar section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1 but showing'only the can separating devices;

Fig. 4 is a top view-oi the apparatus shown in Fig. 1;

' Fig. 5 is a horizontal section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a can separator and cell wallpositioning device for guiding the cans in their respective horizontalplanes; and

Fig. '7 is a horizontal section taken on line l--'| of Fig. 1illustrating the action of one of the separating plates for separatingthe cans in vertical rows.

The machine chosen for illustration is adapted to pack cartons which areto receive two layers each containing three rows of four cans each(referring to the carton when filled and standing on one end so that thecans are in upright position and the layers are one above the other).The machine, however, places the two layers in the carton simultaneouslyfrom opposite ends, the carton being supported on its side. Hence thecans enter the carton endwise and each group of cans which is to form alayer consists of four vertical tiers of three cans each arranged oneabove another with their axes horizontal.

Referring now to the drawings, the principal parts of the machine whichare illustrated are carried upon two parallel channel members I whichare placed with their webs outwardly as shown in Figs. 2 and 4, andwhich are appropriately secured beneath two cross channel frame members2. The cartons to be packed are fed, preferably automatically, by meansof a pair of conveyor chains 3 into and out of the filling positionwhich is centrally located beneath the channel members I, as shown inFigs. 1 and 4. A carton 4 is shown in this position.

The cans to be packed are fed to the machine by two parallel conveyors 5and 5a located on opposite sides of carton conveyor 3 and arranged todeliver the cans beneath the opposite ends of the frame members I. Eachof the conveyors 5 and 5a delivers the cans in three parallel rowscorresponding to the number of cans in the vertical tiers placed in thecarton. The cans in each row stand on their ends on these conveyors andare in contact with one another as shown in Fig. 2.

The conveyors 5 and 5a are advanced continuously so long as the machineis in operation, and appropriate mechanism is provided for separatingfrom the foremost cans on these conveyors, groups of cans 6 and 6a eachcontaining 12 cans arranged in three rows of four cans each. These twogroups of cans are then picked up by the mechanism illustrated in Figs.1, 2 and 4 and swung from the. upright position to the horizontalposition, as shown in Fig. 1, and then pushed into the carton 4. Thesemovements take place simultaneously.

The conveyors 5 and 5a are chain conveyors, there being two chains foreach'line of cans. At the end of the conveyors illustrated in thedrawings, these chains pass over a series of sprockets l which are fixedto a common shaft 8 by means of which both of the conveyors are driven.

The supply of cans advanced by the conveyors 5 and 5a is divided intogroups by means of an escapement mechanism 9 comprising a tilting framepivoted on a cross shaft l0 and provided at opposite ends with shortpins H and I2 for engaging the cans. This escapement mechanism is rockedby means of arm l3 which is fixed to shaft l0 and which is actuated by acam 14 which is arranged on a shaft Hi. In the position shown in Fig. 2the pins l2 of the escapement are holding back the entire supply ofcans, the foremost can of which has advanced to the end of theescapement frame. When the escapement frame 9 is rocked to its oppositeposition the pins I I will engage the 5th can from the front, therebyholding back the supply of cans on the conveyor 5, and pins I2 will belowered so as to permit the first four cans in each row on the conveyorto be advanced by the conveyor to the position shown at 6, therebyseparating this group of cans from the supply. During each revolution ofshaft l5 new groups of cans 6 and 6a will be separated from the supplyof cans on the two conveyors.

The automatic mechanism for loading the groups of cans 6 and 6a into thecarton 4 comprise two carriages 16 mounted between and supported on thetransverse channel members I. Carriages l6 are positioned directly abovethe assembled groups of cans 6 and 6a. Each carriage comprises arectangular frame on which is supported a plurality of vacuum cups l1.These cups are arranged in parallel rows corresponding to the parallelrows in the assembled group'of cans 6 and 6a, but each cup is shiftablymounted in carriage [6 in the direction of its row, that is to say,transversely of the apparatus, as illustrated in Fig. 4. The purpose ofthe shifting will appear presently.

A suitable mechanism is provided whereby each.

group of cans is raised from its conveyor sufficiently to engage thevacuum cups II, which latter are controlled from a suitable vacuumsource by a valve mechanism (not shown) which is connected to the tubesystem l8 by means of which the vacuum cups are connected to the vacuum-the rows of cans.

, to engage the vacuum cups I1.

source. It will be understood that this valve mechanism connects thevacuum cups with the vacuum source at the moment when the groups of cansare to be packed up by the vacuum cups. and disconnects the same afterthe cans have been deposited in the carton 4.

The mechanism for raising the cans into engagement with the vacuum cups(Figs. 1 and 2) comprises a frame I!) consisting of a pair of crossmembers 20 at each end which are connectedby a series of longitudinalmembers 2|, and which in its normal or lowered position rests upon apair of angle members 22 arranged at each side of the conveyor. Thinguides 23 are provided on the frame to maintain the alinement of Theframe i9 is raised by means of the mechanism shown in Fig. 2 whichcomprises bell cranks 24 and 25 pivoted in the frame of the machine at26 and 21. These bell cranks are connected together by means of a link28 so that they operate simultaneously to raise the frame I9 and thecans thereon.

The upwardly extending arms of the bell cranks engage the lower sides ofcross bars 20 of frame I 9, and bell crank 24 is provided with a cam arm29 operatively engaging a second cam 30 on shaft l5. With eachrevolution of this cam, shaft the groups of cans 6 and 6a are raisedinto a position The cans will be retained by the vacuum cups and framei9 is immediately lowered to its former position to receive the nextgroup of cans from the escapement mechanism.

The carriages l6 are provided with separately disposed bars 3| (see Fig.2) and are pivotally mounted on hangers 32 which are provided withrollers 33 by means of which the hangers are suspended for longitudinalmovement on' tracks 34 which are fixed to the inner surfaces of channelmembers I. Each of the hangers 32 is provided with a pair of racks 35which are secured thereto at one end. These racks are in engagement withsuitable pinions 36 fixed to a cross shaft 31 pivoted in suitablebearings on the frame members I. Guide rollers 38 are provided forretaining the racks in engagement with the pinions. The arrangement issuch that when one carriage is moved the other .will movesimultaneously' therewith in the opposite direction through theoperation of inter-engaging racks and pinions.

The movement of the hangers 32 and the carriages l6 supported thereby iscontrolled by a cam 39 on shaft I5 which is the same shaft upon whichcams l4 and 30 for the escapement mechanism and raising frame I9 aresecured. Cam 39 is a slot type of cam having a slot 40 within which acam roller 4| is engaged. This cam roller is secured to a vertical slidemember 42 which is provided at its upper end with a rack 43 engaging apinion 44 secured to a short shaft 45. This shaft is mounted in asuitable bearing on one of channel members I. A gear 46 is secured atthe opposite end of shaft from pinion 44 and is in mesh with one of thecarriage racks 35.

With each rotation of cam shaft l5 8. group of cans will be separatedfrom the supply by means of the escapement mechanism 9 actuated by caml4, a group of cans 6 and 6a will be elevated into engagement with thesuction cups ll of each of the carriages Hi, this elevating mechanismbeing actuated by cam 30, and both of carriages It will be movedinwardly by means of the rack and pinion operation just described tofurther raise the groups of cans 5 and 6a and move them into theopposite ends of the opened carton 4.

It is necessary that the groups of cans be moved through an arcuate pathimmediately upon starting the longitudinal movement of the carriages itin order that they may be brought into parallel alinement with the openends of the carton before insertion. This is accomplished in the case ofeach carriage by means of an arm 41 on each carriage pivot and providedwith a roller 48 which is at all times in engagement with a surface cam45 on the frame of the machine. Any inward longitudinal movement of thehangers 32 from the dotted positions shown in Fig. 1 causes thecarriages it to commence rotation and the completion of this movementrotates them substantially 90 by engagement of the rollers 48 with thecams 49. This movement takes place during the early part of thelongitudinal movement of the hangers and alines the groups 6 and 6a ofthe cans with the open ends of the carton 4. The continued longitudinalmovement inserts the cans in the carton. The carriages are thenimmediately withdrawn and returned to their original position by meansof the cam 39 and the rack and pinion mechanism described previously.Thereafter the carton conveyor 3 is actuated to move the carton 4 out offilling position and to bring a fresh empty carton into fillingposition.

It will be understood that the carton flaps are opened prior to theadvance of the carton to filling position and afterwards closed, andthat this operation can be performed by hand or by suitable automaticflap-manipulating mechanism.

The cells, or compartments, of the carton 4 within which the individualcans are received are formed by horizontal partitions. which areindicated by numeral 50 in Fig. 1 and vertical partitions indicated bynumeral 5| in Fig. 3. These partitioning devices are composed of sheetsof material such as corrugated board, of which the carton 4 is made,slitted and interlocked with one another in such manner as to form 12cells extending through the carton, as shown in Fig. 1.

The cans must be inserted in the carton in such a way as to prevent theends of the cans from jamming against the edges of the partitions 5|]and 5|. To accomplish this a set of three vertical plates 52 is arrangedto enter between the cans of the groups 6 and Get as they are swungupwardly from the dotted position shown in Fig. l to the full line orhorizontal position where they are ready to move into the carton. Thelower corners 53 of these plates are tapered, or sharpened, as shown inFigs. 3 and 7, to enable the plates to spread the cans apart morereadily. The cans acted upon by these plates are in direct contact withonev another, and the action of one of the plates 52 in separating themis shown in Fig. 7. As mentioned previously, vacuum cups l1 are somounted on carriages l5 as to be shiftable slightly in the direction oftheir rows, and this shiftability permits the wedging apart of the cansby the plates 52 without tilting thecans on thevacuum cupsand destroyingthe vacuum. Provision is made for mounting the plates for horizontalmovement towards and away from the carton at the proper time.

When advanced towards the carton the inner edges of plates 52 advance toa point close to the edges of the vertical partitioning devices 5|within the cartons. In this position, plates 52 serve to guide the cansas they are inserted in the carton by the horizontal movement ofcarriages It in such a way as to direct the cans between the partitions5 l. Inasmuch as the material of which these partitions are made is aptto be somewhat resilient, and hence not always initially in the desiredposition, flexible resilient fingers 54 made of spring steel, or thelike, are provided for engaging the partitions 5| and bringing them intoalinement with the plates 52 as the cans move into the carton. Pairs ofthese fingers 55 are mounted upon the inner edges of plates 52, as shownin Figs. 5, 1 and 3. These fingers are arranged in spaced relation alongthe edges of the plates so as to provide a finger on each side of eachof the partitioning devices 5| for each of the can cells, orcompartments.

In order to separate the cans horizontally as well as vertically,horizontal separating plates 55 have commenced to advance horizontallytoward the carton from the full line position shown in Fig. 1.Consequently as the rounded ends of the cans approach and make contactwith the V-shaped notches 56, if the cans are in contact, they will beseparated from one another, and if the cans are not in contact, which isthe normal condition of affairs on account of the cans being previouslyarranged by the conveyors in slightly separated rows, they will beprevented from contacting with one another. Plates 55 are also providedwith flexible fingers 54a to engage and position the horizontalpartitioning devices 50 in each of the can compartments.

Plates 52 and 55 together form a sort of grid structure, as illustratedin Fig. 3, which provides individual guiding, or directing, chutes forthe respective cans to insure that each can advances into its particularcompartment. Each of these directing chutes comprises the surfaces ofplates 52 and 55 together with the flexible fingers 54 and 54a, whichare moved laterally by the advancing cans and serve both to square up,i. e. to shift the partitioning devices 50 and 5| into alinement withplates 52 and 55-and to guide the edges of the cans past the corners ofthe edges of the partitioning devices. The upper and lower edges ofplates 52 and the front and rear edges of plates 55 are tapered, orflared, as shown in Figs. 1 and 5, respectively, to serve as guides forspreading the carton flaps.

In order to advance the grids into the mouths of the carton prior to theinsertion of the cans, and to withdraw them thereafter in order topermit the packed carton to be removed from filling position and a freshempty carton to be advanced for the next charge, the grids are supportedin such a way as to be slidable in slot 51 in the hangers 32 (Fig. 1).To this end the vertical plates 52 are provided with extensions, orshanks, 58 at their upper ends which are secured by means of the anglemembers shown in Fig. 2 to a cross bar 59 which is arranged to beslidable in slot 51 but fixed against movement transversely of thecarriages 32. The grids, that is, each of the sets of plates 52, 55 andflexible fingers 54, 54a are urged against stop bars 60 which engage theshanks 58 by means of tension springs 6|.

One end of these springs is attached to cross bars 59 and the other endto the hangers 32 (Fig. 4). Hence as the carriages l6 move horizontallyto advance their cans into the carton after being swung to the full lineposition of Fig. 1, the grids are held against the stop 60 in whichposition the flexible fingers 54 and 54a are in proper relation to thecarton and to the partition members 50 and 5|.

As the carriages I 6 continue their horizontal movement to insert thecans in the carton, the Springs 6| are stretched, the inner ends ofslots 51 leave the edges of cross bars 59 and move further inwardlytoward the center of the carton 4. Slots 51 are of suflicient length topermit carriages l6 to move the cans into the carton until the innerends of the cans are positioned exactly at the middle of the carton.Then the vacuum cups H are automatically disconnected from the vacuumsource and the carriages recede, leaving the cans in the carton. Whenthe inner ends of the slots5l again engage the cross bars 59, the crossbars together with their attached grids are carried outwardly from thestops 60. The continued outward movement of hangers 32 is sufficient tomove the grids, that is to say, plates 52 and 55 and fingers 54, 54aclear of the carton so that the carton can be moved forward by thecarton conveyor.

During the continued outward movement of the hangers 32, the carriages"5 swing downwardly to the dotted position shown in Fig. 1 and pick upthe next two groups of cans forming the succeeding charge. The hangers32 then commence another inward reciprocating movement, swinging thecarriages it back to horizontal position and causing the grids to beagain inserted in the mouths of the succeeding empty carton which hasnow been advanced to the filling position. This places the shanks 58 ofplates 52 again against the stops 60, and the cycle of operation iscompleted, and a second cycle commences.

While the embodiment illustrated is described as adapted for loadingsmall containers in cases or cartons, and in the present instance 12containers have been disclosed in each group, it is intended that theinvention may be adapted for loading containers of various sizes; alsoany suitable number may -be assembled in each group.

It will also be understood that the entire disclosure is illustrativeonly and that modifications may be made by those skilled in the art. Forexample, the grid comprising the plates 55, the outer portion of plates52, and flexible fingers 54 and 54a may be employed with other forms ofcharge-assembling and inserting mechanism than the swinging type hereinillustrated, such as charge-forming mechanism adapted to handlecontainers such as glass bottles that are not provided with fiat topswhich cooperate readily with suction lifting devices. The scope of theinvention, therefore, extends to that set forth in the appended claims.It will be understood that the term can as used in these claims isintended to include bottles and other round containers or objects andany containers or objects adapted to be inserted in cartons with the aidof the grid structure herein described.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent is:

1. A can guiding device for cell case packing machines adapted to bearranged'in the path of a can as it is moved endwise into a case,comprising a plate having a notch in its forward edge for shifting thecan, and a flexible finger pro- .iecting from the opposite edge thereofthe free end of which is adapted to engage the wall of the can cell toposition the same and guide the can into the cell.

2. In a can centralizing device of the character described, a narrowfiat plate having a canshifting notch in one edge and a pair of flexibleresilient fingers secured to and projecting from its opposite edge.

3. In a can centralizing device of the character described, a narrowfiat plate having a V-shaped notch in one edge and a pair of flexibleresilient fingers secured to and projecting from its opposite edge.

4. A can centralizing device for cell case packing machines comprising agrid having two sets of parallel plates assembled at right angles to oneanother and forming a plurality of can-directing chutes corresponding tothe cells of the case, one set of said plates having can-shiftingnotches at their entrance edges, and the opposite edges thereof havingflexible fingers projecting therefrom and engaging the partitionsforming the cells of the case, and means for causing a charge saidrespective sets of plates a charge of cans arranged in rows to separatethe cans from each other and aline them with the cells of the case.

6. A can centralizing device for cell case packing machines comprising agrid having two sets of parallel plates assembled at right angles to oneanother and forming a plurality of candirecting chutes corresponding tothe cells of the case, the outer edges of said chutes having flexiblefingers projecting therefrom into engagement with the partitions formingthe cells of the case, one set of said plates having V-shaped notches attheir inner edges for shifting the cans and centralizing them withrespect to the directing chutes, and means for causing a charge of cansto move endwise through said grid into the case.

'7. In a cell case packing machine, a plurality of parallel plates,means for forming a charge of cans including means for placing the cansthereof in rows between said plates with the cans of each row in contactwith one another, a second set of can-separating plates forming withsaid first plates can-directing chutes corresponding in dimensions tothe dimensions of the cells in the case, means for supporting a cellcase with the cells thereof in approximate alinement with said directingchutes, means for moving the cans endwise between said first plates intoand through said chutes into the case, each "of said second set ofseparating plates having can-shifting notches in the forward edgesthereof to centralize the individual cans with respect to theirdirecting chutes, and flexible fingers projecting from the outer edgesof said plates to engage the walls of the cells in the case tosimultaneously position the same and direct the cans thereinto.

8. In a cell case packing machine means for forming a charge of canscomprising a plurality of rows, the cans being in upright position andthe cans of each row being in contact with one another, means forseparating the cans and directing them into their respective cellscomprising a plurality of parallel plates, means for supporting thecharge of cans and swinging the same from upright position to horizontalposition and during said swinging movement bringing the sides of saidcans into engagement with the edges of said plates to effect aseparation of the cans, a second set of can-separating plates positionedbetween said first plates and forming therewith candirecting chutescorresponding in dimensions to the dimensions of the cells in the case,means for supporting the cell case with the cells thereof in alinementwith said directing chutes, and means for advancing the cans endwisethrough said chutes into the case.

9. In a can-centralizing device of the character described, acan-guiding plate having a canshifting notch in one edge, and a pair offlexible resilient fingers secured to and projecting from its oppositeedge.

10. In a machine for packing cases having subdividing partitions formingindividual compartments for the cans to be packed, a can-guiding deviceadapted to be arranged in the path of a pair of cans as they moveendwise into a case comprising a plate having can-shifting means at oneedge for shifting one or both of said cans to space them apartapproximately the thickness of the partition separating the twocompartments which are to receive said cans, and a pair of flexibleresilient fingers projecting from the opposite edge of said plate forstraddling the partition to position the same and guide the advancingends of the cans past the edge thereof as they enter the said cells.

11. In a machine for packing cases having subdividing partitions formingindividual cells for the cans to be packed, a grid having two sets ofparallel plates arranged at right angles to one another and forming aplurality of can-directing chutes, one set of said plates havingcan-shifting means at their front edges for shifting the cans tocentralize them with respect to said chutes, and each of the walls ofsaid chutes having flexible fingers projecting therefrom for positioningthe said partitions and guiding the cans past the edges thereof as theyenter their respective cells, and means for causing a plurality of cansto move simultaneously through said chutes into the case.

12. In a machine for packing cases having subdividing partitions formingindividual cells for the cans to be packed, a grid having two sets ofparallel plates arranged at right angles to one another and forming aplurality of can-directing chutes, one set of said plates havingcan-shifting cam means at their front edges at the entrance to each ofsaid chutes for shifting the cans to centralize them with respectthereto, and each of the walls of said chutes having flexible fingersprojecting therefrom for engaging the said partitions, said fingersbeing moved by the cans passing through the chutes to position the saidpartitions and serving to guide the cans past the edges thereof as theyenter their respective cells, and means for causing a plurality of cansto move through said chutes into the case.

13. In a machine for packing cases having subdividing partitions formingindividual cells for the cans to be packed, a grid having two sets ofparallel plates arranged at right angles to one another and forming aplurality of can-directing chutes, one set of said plates havingsubstantially v-shaped can-shifting notches n thfiir edges at theentrance to said chutes for centralizing'the cans with respect to thechutes, and each of the walls of said chutes having flexible fingersprojecting from the discharge ends thereof for engaging the saidpartitions to position the same and to guide the cans past the edgesthereof as they enter their respective cells. and means for causing aplurality of cans to move simultaneously through said chutes into thecase.

14. In a machine for packing cases having sub-dividing partitionsforming individual cells for the cans to be packed, a grid having twosets of parallel plates arranged at right angles to one another andforming a plurality of candirecting chutes corresponding in number anddimensions to the cells of the case, one set of said plates having acan-shifting notch at the entrance to each of said chutes forcentralizing the cans with respect thereto, the Walls of said chuteshaving fiexible fingers projecting from the discharge ends thereof forengaging the said partitions, said fingers being moved by the canspassing through the chutes to position the said partitions and servingto guide the cans past the edges thereof as they enter their respectivecells, and means for causing to move simultaneously through the chutesinto the case cans forming a charge therefor.

15. A case-packing machine according to claim 14 in which thecan-shifting notches are substantially V-shaped. I

16. A can guiding device for cell case packing machines adapted to bearranged in the path of a can as it is moved endwise into a case, comprising a plate having a notch in its forward edge for shifting the can,and a yieldable blade-like finger on said plate and projecting from theopposite edge thereof, the free end of which is adapted to engage thewall of the can cell to position the same and guide the can into thecell.

1'7. In a can centralizing device of the character described, a narrowfiat plate having a can-shifting notch in one edge and a pair ofyieldable blade-like fingers on said plate and projecting from itsopposite edge.

18. In a can centralizing device of the character described, a narrowfiat plate havinga V-shaped notch in one edge and a pair of yieldableblade-like fingers on said plate and projecting from its opposite edge;

19. A can centralizing device for cell case packing machines comprisinga grid having two sets of parallel plates assembled at right angles toone another and forming a plurality of candirecting chutes correspondingto the cells of the case, one set of said plates having canshiftingnotches at their entrance edges, and the opposite edges thereof havingyieldable bladelike fingers projecting therefrom and engaging thepartitions forming the cells of the case, and means for causing a chargeof cans to move through said chutes into the case.

20. In a can centralizing device of the character described, acan-guiding plate having a can-shifting notch in one edge, and a pair ofyieldable blade-like fingers upon said plate and projecting from itsopposite edge.

21. In a machine for packing cases having sub-dividing partitionsforming individual cells for the cans to be packed, a grid having twosets of parallel plates arranged at right angles to one another andforming a plurality of adjacent rows of can-directing chutescorresponding in number and dimensions to the cells of the case, one setof said plates having can-shifting cam means at the entrance to each ofsaid chutes for centralizing the cans with respect thereto, the walls ofsaid chutes having yieldable blade-like fingers thereon and projectingtherefrom for engaging the said partitions, said fingers being moved bythe cans passing through the chutes to position the said partitions andserving to guide the cans past the edges thereof as they enter therespective cells, and means for causing to move simultaneously throughsaid chutes into the case cans forming a complete charge therefor.

22. In a machine for packing cases having subdividing partitions formingindividual cells for the cans to be packed, a grid having two sets ofparallel plates arranged at right angles to one another and forming aplurality of can-directing chutes corresponding in number and dimensionsto the cells of the case, oneset of said plates having V-shapedcan-shifting notches in their edges at the entrance to said chutes forcentralizing the cans with respect to the chutes, the walls of saidchutes having yieldable bladelike fingers thereon and projectingtherefrom for engaging the said partitions, said fingers being moved bythe cans passing through the chutes to position the said partitions andserving to guide the cans past the edges thereof as they enter therespective cells, and means for causing to move simultaneously throughsaid chutes into the case cans forming a charge therefor.

23. In a cell case packing machine, a grid having two sets of parallelplates assembled at right angles to one another and forming a pluralityof can-directing chutes corresponding to the cells of the case, one setof said plates having can-shifting means at their entrance edges, theopposite edges thereof having yieldable fingers projecting therefrom andengaging the partitions forming the cells of the case, means forassembling a charge of cans comprising a plurality of rows, and meansfor causing the charge to move through said chutes into the case.

24. In a cell case packing machine, a grid having two sets of parallelplates assembled at right angles to one another and forming a pluralityof can-directing chutes corresponding to the cells of the case, one setof said plates having canshifting notches at their entrance edges, theopposite edges thereof having yieldable fingers projecting therefrom andengaging the partitions forming the cells of the case, means forassembling a charge of cans comprising a plurality of rows, and meansfor causing the charge to move through said chutes into the case.

25. In a machine for packing cases having subdividing partitions formingindividual compartments for the cans to be packed, a can-guiding deviceadapted to be arranged in the path of a pair of cans as they moveendwise into a case comprising a plate having can-shifting means at oneedge for shifting one or both of said cans to space them apartapproximately the thickness of the partition separating the twocompartments which are to receive said cans, and a pair of yieldablefingers projecting from the opposite edge of said plate for straddlingthe partition to positionthe same and guide the advancing ends of thecans past the edge thereof as they enter the said cells.

26. In a machine for packing cases having subdividing partitions formingindividual cells for the cans to be packed, a grid having two sets ofparallel plates arranged at right angles to one another and forming aplurality of can-directing chutes, one set of said plates havingcanshifting means at their front edges for shifting the cans tocentralize them with respect to said chutes, and each of the walls ofsaid chutes having yieldable fingers projecting therefrom forpositioning the said partitions and guiding the cans past the edgesthereof as they enter their respective cells, and means for causing aplurality of cans to move simultaneously through said chutes into thecase.

27. In a machine for packing cases having subdividing partitions formingindividual cells for the cans to be packed, a grid having two sets ofparallel plates arranged at right angles to one another and forming aplurality of can-directing chutes, one set of said plates havingcanshifting cam means at their front edges at the entrance to each ofsaid chutes for shifting the cans, and each of the walls of said chuteshaving yieldable fingers projecting therefrom for engaging the saidpartitions, said fingers being moved by the cans passing through thechutes to position the said partitions and serving to guide the canspast the edges thereof as they enter their respective cells, and meansfor causing a plurality of cans to move through said chutes into thecase.

28. In a machine for packing cases having subdividing partitions formingindividual cells for the cans to be packed, a grid having two sets ofparallel plates arranged at right angles to one another and forming aplurality of can-directing chutes, one set of said plates havingsubstantially V-shaped can-shifting notches in their edges at theentrance to said chutes for centralizing the cans with respect to thechutes, and each of the walls of said chutes having yieldable fingersprojecting from the discharge end thereof for engaging said partitionsto position the same and to guide the cans past the edges thereof asthey enter their respective cells, and means for causing a plurality ofcans to move simultaneously through said chutes into the case.

.JOSEPHUS J 'I'HAYER.

